Fox News co-host Pete Hegseth on Sunday recommended that President Trump renew threats of a shutdown if Congress does not fund his proposed southern border wall in a spending measure that is a must-pass by the end of September in order to keep the federal government open.
The comment came shortly before Trump tweeted about being willing to “shut down” the government if his demands regarding border security aren’t met.
“I think the president would be wise to reiterate that he would shut it down if they won’t give a border wall,” Hegseth said during a segment on “Fox and Friends” Sunday.
Hegseth added that Trump had an electoral mandate given it was one of his key campaign promises, as well as leverage due to a series of polls reporting strong approval ratings among his supporters ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.
Trump took to Twitter later Sunday morning to say he “would be willing” to trigger a government shutdown if Democrats did not support legislation for border security, including a wall-like structure along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT!” he wrote. “We need great people coming into our Country!”
I would be willing to “shut down” government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2018
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that closing the government could hurt Republicans on ballots in November.
“I certainly don’t like playing shutdown politics,” he said. “I don’t think it’d be helpful, so let’s try and avoid it.
